ImportCar Archives - Page 8 of 70 - TechShop Magazine
Tech Tip: Frequently Asked Questions About Hub Assemblies

This tech tip from The Timken Company is designed to help you install and maintain Timken bearings, seals and components to maximize the life and performance of those bearings and the systems in which they operate.

Maintenance Mindset Racks Up Miles And Service Opportunities

How many miles do you think a pampered engine could rack up? Hundreds of thousands? How about millions! Irv Gordon, a Long Island, NY, resident who’s has traveled the U.S. for nearly 50 years, can attest to that. He’s driven the same vehicle, a shiny, red 1966 Volvo P1800, racking up nearly 3 million miles.

Interrogations Should Revolve Around Vehicle Problems, Not The Ability Of The Technician To Solve Them

Occasionally, I’ll have a new customer approach the service counter not just to have their car repaired, but also to interrogate every part of my process in finding the solution. More often than not, these customers are referrals from another repair shop or previous customer. I seldom get interrogated by someone who has seen an advertisement or drove by the shop and stopped in for repair.

Diagnostic Solutions: Variable Camshaft Timing And Back Pressure Issues

When the topic of variable valve timing (VVT) comes up in import repair shops, few realize that the concept of increasing low- and high-speed engine torque by automatically advancing and retarding valve timing isn’t a recent development. For example, I recently discovered an old variable camshaft timing gear that I bought during the 1960s featuring a torsion spring device that retards valve timing in response to the increased rotating torque needed to turn the camshaft at higher engine speeds.

Volkswagen Feature: Don’t Miss Out On Missed Maintenance

“We don’t work on those V8s.” I’ve often heard that said in reference to the 4.2L VW and Audi 8 cylinders. Some criticisms are that the timing belts require too many special tools and you can’t see the engine. I hear a lot of excuses when it comes to V8 Audis and VWs, but, in reality, they are not much different than the V6s and most models don’t require too many special tools. There are many shops that don’t want to do a timing belt replacement on the 4.2 V8, but it’s time to buy the tools and stop sending good paying jobs to competitors.

Toyota Donates Meals To New Yorkers In Need For Each Viewing Of Online Film

Toyota recently announced it would donate up to half a million meals to Food Bank For New York City based on viewings of a short, online documentary about Meals Per Hour, a partnership to help residents in the Far Rockaways who were severely impacted by Superstorm Sandy.

Nissan VVT Diagnostics – Boosting Engine Performance, Fuel Economy And Emissions

Due to the ability of Nissan’s variable valve timing system to provide increased engine performance, Bob Dowie offers his diagnostic, electronic and mechanical expertise for how import vehicle specialists can most effectively perform engine service.

Tech Tip: Honda Squeaks Or Rattles In Rear Damper Area

There’s a squeak or rattle coming from the rear of the vehicle when it’s driven. On Japan-built CR-Vs, the rear damper assembly includes a small metal hook and body bracket, which are used only during vehicle assembly at the factory. The hook or the bracket may have been bent and is touching the vehicle body or the damper assembly, causing a squeak or rattle.

Consumer Confidence Increases, Back-To-Back Monthly Gains Spell Good News

The Consumer Confidence Index is up and that should spell good news for your import repair business.

Gonzo’s Toolbox: Who’s The Boss? Deal With The Person In Charge, Especially When Your Customer’s Vehicle Is A ‘Basket Case’

There’s a boss in every family, and sometimes you might think it’s you, but your spouse may have a different opinion. For example, there have been countless times I’ve had a car in the shop where a wife or husband has dropped the car off and the repair is done, paid for, and sent on its way, only to have the other spouse call and give me an earful because they weren’t told what had transpired. (As if that’s my fault!)

Diagnostic Solutions: Engine Coolant Temperature Sensors

Considering that roughly 1,500 or more different vehicle models are introduced into our domestic market each year, it’s becoming more difficult to predict how a Powertrain Control Module (PCM) will utilize data from a particular sensor or detect an out-of-range sensor in any single vehicle platform. The engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor provides a good illustration of how many on-board diagnostic strategies have changed.

Tech Update: Air, Fuel And Oil Filter Replacement Intervals, Take Motorists’ Driving Habits Into Account

Filters have long been a common maintenance item. But with longer factory service intervals and “lifetime” filters becoming more common, how often do filters really need to be replaced? There’s no simple answer. The safest advice used to be to follow the filter service interval recommendations in the vehicle owner’s manual (assuming the owner’s manual hasn’t been lost and that somebody will actually read it!).